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[Da Ji, Xiao Ji]
Nature and Flavor: Sweet, warm (Kai Bao Ben Cao records it as cool). Efficacy: Both can break blood stasis and descend qi, possessing characteristics of both dispersing and tonifying. Indications: Hematemesis, epistaxis, intestinal abscess, leukorrhea in women (red and white discharge), calming the fetus (relying on its blood-cooling efficacy).
Xiao Ji has weaker potency; it can break stasis and generate new tissue, preserve essence and nourish blood, reduce fever and tonify deficiency, but cannot eliminate carbuncle toxins like Da Ji (Zhu Danxi stated: Xiao Ji treats lower jiao congealed blood and painful stranguria due to blood. Ben Shi Fang recorded: A person had cold qi invading the scrotum, causing swelling and pain; after decocting and drinking Da Ji juice, he recovered immediately).
The two plants are similar, with flowers resembling hair buns. Da Ji has tall stems and wrinkled leaves, while Xiao Ji has short stems and smooth leaves; both use the roots for medicinal purposes.

[San Qi]
Also known as: Shan Qi
Nature and Flavor: Sweet, bitter, slightly warm. Efficacy: Scatters blood and relieves pain.
Indications: Hematemesis, epistaxis, bloody dysentery, metrorrhagia, redness and swelling of the eyes (grinding with vinegar and applying dissipates it; for ulcerated lesions, apply powder externally). It is a crucial herb for treating metal wounds and beating injuries (taking one or two qian before being beaten prevents blood from rushing to the heart; applying it after beating removes stasis, reduces swelling, and facilitates healing. Generally, it is an herb entering the blood aspect of the Yangming and Jueyin meridians, thus treating blood disorders).
This herb became popular only recently and was relied upon by the military. Those coming from caves in Guangxi resemble Baiji and Dihuang slightly, having nodes, a slightly sweet taste, and looking somewhat like Renshen. When powder is mixed into pig's blood, if the blood turns into water, it is authentic (A variety appearing recently has leaves resembling Ju Ai but stronger and thicker with forked tips, stems with red ridges, yellow flowers blooming in summer and autumn with golden-wire-like stamens that are pleasingly coiled but odorless, roots as large as Niubang with an extremely sweet taste. Yi Fanyan claimed this is San Qi, which is very effective for metal wounds, fractures, and blood disorders, differing from those coming from the south).

[Di Yu]
Nature and Flavor: Bitter, sour, slightly cold. Efficacy: Astringes and stops bleeding.
Nature is sinking and astringent (Ben Cao texts did not previously mention "astringent," but its ability to stop sweating and bleeding is due to the astringent property of sour flavors). It enters the lower jiao and clears heat from the blood.
Indications: Hematemesis, epistaxis, metrorrhagia (contraindicated in blood deficiency), Chang Feng (blood that is bright red is Chang Feng, occurring upon exposure to pathogens; blood that is dark and stagnant is Zang Du, manifesting after accumulation over time. Bleeding before defecation is near blood, originating from the intestines and stomach; bleeding after defecation is far blood, originating from the lungs and liver) bloody dysentery (Su Song stated: Ancient formulas often used this herb to treat diarrhea. Kou Zongshi stated: Contraindicated in deficiency-cold diarrhea/dysentery and early-stage cases. Su Song authored Ben Cao Tu Jing).
Resembling willow roots, black on the outside and red on the inside. Use the upper section, stir-fried until charred. The tip bark promotes blood circulation. It pairs well with human hair. It is incompatible with Maidong.